Self-closing wrench



March 3,1959 -P HABERLE 2,875,659

SELF-CLOSING WRENCH Filed May 18, 1956 2,875,659 SELF-CLOSING WRENCH Paul Haberle, Aurora, Ill.

Application May 18, 1956, Serial No.- 585,672

"1 Claim. (CL 81=-99) This invention-relates to new and useful improvements in a self-closing wrench and has for its principal object the provision in a device of this character of a pivotal connection between a movable jaw and a fixed jaw that is positive in action and economical in manufacture.

Another object of this invention is the provision in a device of this character of a spring-actuated connection between a movable jaw and a fixed jaw for maintaining the movable jaw in a normally closed, spaced relation with the fixed jaw.

Yet another and equally important object of this invention is the provision in a -device of this character whereby the jaws of the wrench together with the structural parts, particularly the structure around the pivotal connection between thejaws, is so constructed as to provide maximum thickness of material at the points ofstress or strain, thereby resulting in maximum strength and durability.

A further object of my invention is the provision-of a device of this character whereby the handle is provided with a jaw-carrying iportion, asuchpo'r tion being inclined to the longitudinal axis of the handle of the wrench so as to correspond and cooperate whereby the movable jaw is permitted to move throughamaximum arc to position the jaws in a Work-engaging relation.

Other objects will appear hereinafter. p

The invention consists in the novel combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter describedand claimed.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the accompanying drawings showing the preferred form of construction, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my improved wrench;

Fig. 2 is a fragmentary elevation as seen from the viewing line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary side View of the wrench showing the jaws in open, work-engaging position and with the cover plate removed from the pivot connection;

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the pivot pin embodied in my invention; and

Fig. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view showing a modified method of attaching work-engaging jaws to the wrench.

My improved self-closing wrench, as viewed in Fig. l, discloses a handle 10 having a portion 11 inclined to the longitudinal axis of the handle 10. This portion 11 terminates at one end in an enlarged head 12 having an arcuate fixed jaw 13.

On one side of this portion 11 of the handle 10 adjacent the enlarged head 12 is a laterally extending hill-type projection 14. In the center of this laterally extending projection 14 is formed a bore 15. Frictionally wedged in such bore 15 is a pivot pin 16. This pin 16 has its medial circumferential surface knurled as at 17 so that when it is frictionally wedged into the bore 15, it will become ited rates Patent 0 2,875,659 Patented Mar. 3, 1959 stationary with respect thereto and with respect to the portion 11 of the handle 10. This ,pin 16 is of suflicient length so as to extend equally'beyond both ends of the bore 15 (Figs. 2 and '3). A'movable jaw 18 is 'pivotally connected bymeans of :the pin 16 for work-engagement with respectto the .jaw 13, in a manner hereinafter described. This jaw 18 has an arcuate head 19 and a substantially flat underside 20 which is serrated with teeth, much like the fixed jaw l3 o'f the enlarged head 12. The flat underside2 0, like the fixed jaw 13, is of a thickness greater-than the thickness of the handle 10. The fiat underside .20, like the fixed jaw -13., -is then tapered down to adegree of thickness equal to that of the handle 10, as s hownin-"Fignll. 5 v I The movable .jaw 1 8 has laterally extending therefrom a pair of spaced confronting bosses 21and 22. These bosses .21 and 22 are of substaritailly-equzil thickness, the boss 21 being of a solid construction, while the boss 22 is provided witha hollowed out recess 23. Each of these bosses are formed therein an aperture corresponding to the bore 15 0f the.por-ti on -1-1of the handle 10. The aperture of ,the bosses is slightly larger in diameter than the diameter ofthe bore15 .for .a ,purpose which will become hereinafter apparent; 7

The arrangement is such that the bosses 21 and 22 are spaced a sufiicient distance to allow positioning therebetween of the laterally extending hill-type projection 14 of theport-ion ll of thehandlerlll, as-shown in-Figs. 1, 2 and .3. The pivot pin 16 is then freely passed through the apertures of the bosses 21 and 22 and frictio'nally through the bore .15. The movable jaw 18 is thus freely connected for pivotal ,movement about the pin 16, which pin is fixedly carried by the portion 11 of the'handle 10. The pin 16 is of a length slightly less than the combined width ofthejbossesll and 22 and the portion 11 of the handle 10 -(Fig's. '2 and 3 One end of the pin 16 is provided with a diagonal slot 24. This slot24 is formed so as to commence at approxirnately one edge of the knurled portion 17 and to. extend inwardly and outwardly of the pin .16 to one end \t hereof with the slot 24 at the end of the pin-16 Fbeing of such depth as to be -approxi mately atfthe centerofsuch pin 16,. as shown in Fig. 5.

When the pin 1'6is passed through the bosses 21 and 22 and fixedly engaged in the bore 15, one end of the pin 16 will be flush with the outer side surface of the boss 21, as viewed in Figs. 2 and 3. So positioned, the slotted end of the pin 16 will be slightly indented with respect to the opposite outer surface of the boss 22 and will be located in the recess 23, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3.

About this slotted end of the pin 16 and positioned in the recess 23 is a coil spring 25. This coil spring 25 has one end bent to provide a finger 26 for positioning in the slot 24 of the pin 16. The opposite end of the spring 25 is bent outwardly with respect to the coils thereof to provide a latch member 26'. This latch member 26' is adapted to be positioned in a circular cut-out 27 formed in the peripheral edge of the boss 22, which cut-out 27 is tangential to the periphery of the recess 23 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The tension of the coils of the spring 25 is against the movable jaw 18 so as to maintain it in its normally closed position with respect to the fixed jaw 13.

A plate 28 is frictionally fitted into the recess 23 so as to cover the spring 25 and the slotted end of the pin 16. This cover plate 28, however, does not cover the circular cut-out 27, which may be used as an oil port for the spring 25 and pin 16.

The movable jaw 18 has laterally extending therefrom in a substantiallly backward and downward direction with respect to the jaw 18, a fingerpiece 29, so positioned as to be readily accessible to the fingers of the user for opening the movable jaw of the wrench. The fingerpiece 29 is of a width equal to the combined widths of the bosses 21 and 22. It is of particular importance that the thickness of the fingerpiece 29 be as great as possible as it is at this point that the greatest structural strain is developed on the wrench in use. This fingerpiece 29 is of a solid construction and is integral with the movable jaw 18. The fingerpiece 29 is of such design that it also serves to limit the opening of the movable jaw 18 beyond a predetermined point (Fig. 4).

As the movable jaw 18 is pivoted about the pivot pin 16 through the employment of the fingerpiece 29, the coils of the spring 25 have a tendency to tighten. As the coils tighten, there is a tendency-of the spring 25 to move axially of the pin 16. However, as hereinbefore mentioned, the slot 24 is so formed as to be progressively deeper at the outer end of the pin 16, so that as the coils of the spring 25 tighten and tend to move axially of the pin 16, the finger 26 is permitted to move deeper into the slot 24 toward the center of the pin 16, thereby preventing displacement of the spring 25 with respect to the pin 16 which would render the wrench inoperative in its self-closing feature.

In Fig. 6, a method of connecting work-engaging jaws to the head of the wrench is shown. In the construction of wrenches made from aluminum or like material, it is not possible to cast the jaws as an integral part of the wrench, so that the jaws must later be attached thereto. In the form shown in Fig. 6, the head of the jaw is provided with a recessed portion 30 having a curved base. The jaw is provided with a corresponding rise 31 for frictional insertion into the recess 30. The recess 30 as well as the rise 31 have a corresponding opening 32 formed therethrough for open communication with respect to each other. Into this opening is pressed a pin 33 for latching the members together.

The form and method of constructing a self-closing wrench as hereinbefore described, is highly practical and economical. The jaws are constructed so that at the appropriate points of stress and strain a maximum thickness of material is provided and maintained, resulting in maximum durability. The method of forming a pivotal connection between the fixed jaw and the movable jaw and the means for maintaining the movable jaw in its closed, spaced relation to the fixed jaw, comprises a simple pivot pin knurled in a predescribed fashion so that a fixed connection is made between the pin and the handle.

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into effect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the function of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail myself of such variations and modifications as come within the scope of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent is:

A self-closing wrench comprising a handle, a fixedjaw-carrying member integral with said handle and inclined to the longitudinal axis thereof, said member intermediate its ends provided with a hill-like projection extending laterally from one side thereof and with an aperture formed transversely and concentrically with respect thereto, a movable jaw, bifurcated circular bosses integral with said movable jaw and each having an aperture formed therein corresponding and communicating with the aperture of said projection for positioning said movable jaw in proper relation with respect to said jaw-carrying member, one of said circular bosses having formed in its outer face a recess formed concentrically with respect to said aperture formed therethrough, a pivot pin frictionally mounted in the aperture of said projection and freely journaled through the corresponding aperture of said bosses for pivotally connecting said movable jaw to said jaw-carrying member, and a coil spring positioned in said concentric recess and embracing said pivot pin for operatively connecting said pivot pin and said movable jaw for yieldably maintaining said movable jaw in closed spaced relation to said jaw-carrying member.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 295,204 Schramm et a1. Mar. 18, 1884 2,623,428 Larson Dec. 30, 1952 2,645,145 Larson July 14, 1953 2,713,280 Larson July 19, 1955 2,742,808 Haberle Apr. 24, 1956 

